By Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala
“Death does not exist. People only die when they are forgotten. If you can remember me, I will always be with you.”
— Elena Poniatowska
There is something beautiful about seeing a tradition you grew up with celebrated by the community you now call home.
As a proud Mexican American, sharing the traditions of my culture is deeply meaningful to me. They connect us to our families, our history and the generations that came before us. They also give us an opportunity to invite others in, share the meaning behind our traditions and celebrate together.
Día de los Muertos is one of those traditions.
Observed throughout Mexico and by families around the world, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, memory and the enduring connection we have with loved ones who are no longer with us. It is a time when families remember those who came before them through photographs, favorite foods, music, stories and ofrendas decorated with candles and bright orange cempasúchil, the traditional Mexican marigold associated with Día de Muertos.
Every detail carries meaning. Photographs help us remember the faces we love. Favorite foods recall the personalities and moments we shared. Cempasúchil, the beautiful orange flower with its unmistakable color and fragrance, traditionally guides loved ones back to the ofrenda. Together, these traditions remind us that those we have lost continue to live through the stories and memories we carry forward.
That is why I am especially proud to see Día de los Muertos celebrated right here in Santa Clarita.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Canyon Country Community Center will welcome families for an afternoon celebrating Día de los Muertos alongside some Halloween fun.
Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy food, games, crafts and activities for the whole family. The afternoon will also feature live mariachi music and special folklórico dance performances, bringing two beloved Mexican art forms to the heart of our celebration.
For me, mariachi and folklórico are more than entertainment. The music, movement, clothing and stories they carry are expressions of generations of Mexican history and identity. Seeing our community come together to experience and celebrate these traditions is something that fills me with pride. Just as meaningful is what this moment represents for the performers themselves — the opportunity to share these treasured art forms, celebrate their heritage and know that their voices and traditions are seen, heard and valued in the community they call home.
Events like this are also an invitation. You do not have to grow up celebrating Día de los Muertos to take part. Come experience the music. Learn about the tradition. Bring your children. Ask questions. Most importantly, take the opportunity to learn about the cultures and stories of your neighbors.
That is one of the things I value most about Santa Clarita. Our community is made stronger when we have opportunities to celebrate what makes each of us unique while discovering the traditions that connect us.
I hope families from across Santa Clarita will join us at the Canyon Country Community Center on Oct. 24. I look forward to celebrating with you and sharing a tradition that means so much to me, my family and generations of Mexican families around the world.
For information about upcoming city events, follow @CityOfSantaClarita on Instagram and Facebook and our Spanish-language pages at @CiudadDeSantaClarita.
Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at [email protected].
